Stoicism

[ stoh-uh-siz-uhm ]

noun

1. a systematic philosophy, dating from around 300 b.c., that held the principles of logical thought to reflect a cosmic reason instantiated in nature.
2. (lowercase) conduct conforming to the precepts of the Stoics, as repression of emotion and indifference to pleasure or pain.

stoicism

/ ˈstəʊɪˌsɪzəm /

noun

1. indifference to pleasure and pain
2. capital the philosophy of the Stoics

Stoicism

1. A philosophy that flourished in ancient Greece and Rome . Stoics believed that people should strictly restrain their emotions in order to attain happiness and wisdom; hence, they refused to demonstrate either joy or sorrow.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Stoicism¹

First recorded in 1620–30; Stoic + -ism

Synonym Study

See patience.

Example Sentences

Without overshadowing his talented counterparts, Cedar commands the stage with a meticulous mix of stoicism and candor.

From The Daily Beast

It has an old-fashioned, world-weary stoicism that lends a potentially ludicrous story emotional heft.

From The Daily Beast

Stoicism has an appeal for anyone who faces uncertainty–that is, for all of us.

From The Daily Beast

But now her frigid stoicism quickly devolves into a kind of nymphomania.

From The Daily Beast

She explained, “People who know me would know stoicism is amongst my key attributes.”

From The Daily Beast

With delicate female tact, with fine female stoicism too; keeping all things within limits.

From Project Gutenberg

Already he had begun to practise that stoicism which, on the whole, was the keynote of his life at St. Helena.

From Project Gutenberg

Whatever he may have suffered, he endured with the stoicism that is traditional in his race.

From Project Gutenberg

This highest class begins usually with Stoicism, and ends with Epicureanism.

From Project Gutenberg

Such extraordinary courage and determination had this man attained merely through early exercises in Stoicism.

From Project Gutenberg